Ha Long Bay is where the mountains of northern Vietnam tumble dramatically into the sea. Limestone peaks covered in patchy green forest rise from the water and reach skyward in an unforgettable scene. Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s most popular destination. Though it’s solidly on the tourist trail these days, I really loved it. This Ha Long Bay guide covers everything I learned visiting this natural wonder.
Overview of Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay (Vịnh Hạ Long) is part of the Gulf of Tonkin in northern Vietnam, about a 2.5 hour drive from Hanoi. The main draw here is the scenery: the bay is made of more than 1900 limestone islands that seem almost to float on the calm waters. The name “Ha Long” means “descending dragon.” Legend says that the bay was formed when a dragon came down from the heavens to protect the people of Vietnam.
The natural beauty of Ha Long Bay is really stunning. I found myself taking so many pictures and lingering outside at sunset. But there are other things to do there like exploring caves and kayaking. More on those activities below.
The most popular way to see Ha Long Bay is on an overnight cruise, though day trips and longer multi-day adventures are also possible. I think the overnight cruise is a good format with just enough time to soak in the scenery. Don’t expect to have the views to yourself in this popular destination, though. If you’re looking for more solitude, you should check out Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay (neither of which I got to visit).
Highlights of Ha Long Bay
Exploring Caves
The limestone islands of Ha Long Bay were formed over time by erosion. In many places this lead to the formation of natural caves that you can explore! Inside you’ll find impressive rock formations and winding passages that lead to hidden coves. It’s a very “Pirates of the Caribbean” vibe.
On my cruise, the crew brought us to see a few different caves. The first one had a couple of tight passages and chambers with lots of glittering stalactites. It was such an unexpected thing to see on a tiny island in the ocean. We also stopped by another island where we spotted a monkey climbing the cliffs high above us. I wore flip-flops, which was definitely not the right move to walk through slippery caves.
Kayaking
I love kayaking, so I was excited when we got the chance to paddle around the bay a bit. The tender boat brought a group of us to a central hub where they rent out the kayaks. I ended up in a two-man kayak with one of my fellow travelers.
I loved the chance to get closer to some of the islands. You don’t realize how high the rocky cliffs go until you’re up close! Paddling in the bay was easy, with not much wind or waves reaching us. However, there was one problem that nearly ruined the kayaking: a speedboat. Like a rampaging bull, this speedboat carrying a dozen day trippers roared past us and threw a wake that swamped the kayak! I was annoyed. Thankfully our plastic craft stayed afloat, and we were able to paddle ashore to drain it.
Titop Island
Probably the most popular stop in Ha Long Bay, Titop Island has a sandy beach and a trail where you can hike up to a commanding lookout point. The trek to the top is a steep climb of more than 400 stairs, but the view is definitely worth it. From Titop Island’s lookout point, you can marvel at a panoramic scene of hundreds of islands and dozens of boats spreading across the bay. It was one of those views I’ll never forget.
As for the beach, we didn’t really stay long enough to check it out. The island’s beach is essentially man-made with fine sand hauled in from afar. But it seemed like a good place to swim if you’re interested.
The Junk Boat Experience
The classic image of Ha Long Bay is of a Chinese-style junk boat sailing gracefully by the islands. These days you’ll see more modern craft, though many boats take inspiration from ye olde wooden sailing ships.
I was super impressed by our boat from Secret Ha Long Cruise. I had a cabin that was basically a midrange hotel room with a lovely little balcony. The middle deck of the ship had a large dining area, a bar, and a wrap-around walkway. On top there was a large sun deck covered in artificial turf with a bunch of lounge chairs. Not a bad place to spend an overnight!
The meals were included in our stay, and overall they were great. I particularly loved all the seafood like stuffed crab, shrimp, squid. Ha Long Bay is known for seafood, and it just feels appropriate when you’re on a boat. They also served non-seafood items and were able to accommodate dietary restrictions.
After dinner, we all did some karaoke which was a fun way to end the night. One thing I will note is that alcoholic drinks were not included and they were expensive by Vietnam standards. I mostly stuck with tasty Ha Long Legend beer. I think they were a couple dollars each.
Which Ha Long Bay Cruise to Book
Full disclosure here: I did my Ha Long Bay cruise as part of a longer group trip. So I didn’t compare different options for cruise operators. That said, we went with Secret Ha Long Cruise and it was great! Our boat was super nice, the crew were awesome, and the meals we ate were good too. Mmm crab…
If you want to book with Secret Ha Long Cruise, email them or reach out via their website. They’re the only one I can personally recommend. If you’re searching for other options, I would look for one with plenty of good and recent reviews. And beware of any prices that sound too good to be true.
When to Visit Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a year-round destination, so there isn’t really a bad time to visit. I went in November, which was comfortable and not too hot. January-March can be cooler and possibly more rainy. June-August you’ll have hotter temperatures.
If you’re planning a longer trip to Vietnam, you’ll find that each region has different weather patterns throughout the year. Make sure to think about your whole trip when you’re deciding when to go.
Getting to Ha Long Bay
The easiest way to arrange transportation to Ha Long Bay is through your cruise operator. Since it’s so popular, the operators have a good infrastructure of shuttle buses that can get you from Hanoi to the port in Ha Long Bay efficiently. It’s about 2.5 hours of driving. Figure around $20-40 USD per person.
It’s also possible to arrange a private transfer to Ha Long Bay, if you don’t mind paying extra. You can book these through sites like Viatour and Klook. From Hanoi I’d figure around $70-100 USD each way, depending on the type of vehicle you need.
If you happen to be staying in Haiphong, it’s about an hour to the port.
Tips for Visiting Ha Long Bay
- Packing for Ha Long Bay – First of all, you need to pack light for Ha Long Bay. Your luggage is coming aboard via a small tender boat. Make sure to bring activewear and swimwear so you can do activities! I would also bring good shoes because walking through caves and hiking up Titop Island are not things you want to do in flip-flops.
- Bring Cash – Boats won’t accept credit cards, so you’ll need cash to pay for extras like drinks or activities. And you’ll want to tip your crew. I would bring at least 1,000,000 VND, but probably more to be on the safe side. And get it before you leave Hanoi.
- Enjoy the Sunset and Sunrise – The golden hours of sunset and sunrise really show off the incredible scenery of Ha Long Bay. Take some time to relax and soak them in! It’s magical.
- Don’t Worry About the Other Tourists – Ha Long Bay is really popular. There will be other boats around sharing the moments with you. You can reduce your contribution to over-tourism by slowing down and staying longer.
